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About the Role

The Literacy Specialist will design and facilitate engaging literacy programming for middle school students in grades 6-8, strengthening their reading comprehension, writing, vocabulary, communication, and critical thinking skills through interactive lessons and creative activities.

Responsibilities

Plan and facilitate engaging literacy lessons, reading groups, writing workshops, and literary projects.
Strengthen students' reading comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, and analytical thinking skills.
Introduce students to diverse literary genres, authors, cultures, and perspectives.
Develop creative writing opportunities, including poetry, short stories, journaling, essays, and personal narratives.
Facilitate group discussions, book clubs, debates, and activities that encourage critical thinking and communication.
Incorporate literacy into interdisciplinary projects, media, storytelling, and real-world experiences.
Encourage students to develop original writing and creative literary portfolios.
Prepare students to participate in poetry readings, writing competitions, literary showcases, and student publications.
Create an inclusive environment that supports different reading levels, learning styles, and individual interests.
Maintain accurate attendance and program documentation as required.
Complete 15 hours of professional development each calendar year.
Attend all meetings, training workshops and special events as required.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Design and implement sequential, project-based units and lesson plans in assigned specialty area.
Align activities with program goals, youth interests, and DYCD/COMPASS-SONYC frameworks.
Integrate social-emotional learning, teamwork, and youth leadership opportunities into activities.
Prepare materials and supplies in advance; maintain an organized, safe activity space.
Lead engaging, hands-on sessions that are inclusive and differentiated for various skill and grade levels.
Establish clear expectations, routines, and positive behavior supports.
Build strong relationships with youth; encourage participation, creativity, and persistence.
Adapt activities as needed based on student responses, behavior, and feedback.
Collaborate with Group Leaders, Tutors, and site leadership to coordinate schedules and support youth needs.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and planning sessions.
Share progress, challenges, and recommendations for program improvement with supervisors.
Ensure youth safety and supervision at all times, following agency and DYCD policies.
Assist with attendance, sign-in/out, and other basic documentation as required.
Care for and inventory program equipment and supplies related to the specialty area.

Requirements

Available during after-school hours, 2:00pm - 6:00pm, (20 hours per week not inclusive of meetings); Monday-Friday during the school year and some school holidays.
2+ years' experience working with children or youth in group settings (after-school, camp, school, recreational program).
Experience working with middle school or adolescent youth preferred.
Demonstrated experience or knowledge in literacy education, English language arts, creative writing, reading instruction, or a related field.
Strong knowledge of reading comprehension, writing development, and literacy strategies.
Ability to develop engaging and age-appropriate reading and writing activities.
Strong communication, classroom management, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to support students with varying reading abilities and learning needs.
Passion for literature, storytelling, and youth development.
Must be dependable, professional, patient, and enthusiastic.
High school diploma/GED required.
Ability to pass required background checks and comply with program policies and safety requirements.
Some college coursework or degree in Education, Arts, Recreation, Youth Development, or related field preferred.
Experience in a DYCD-funded program or NYC after-school setting preferred.
Bilingual language skills preferred.

Skills

Literacy education
English language arts
Creative writing
Reading instruction
Reading comprehension
Writing development
Literacy strategies
Communication
Classroom management
Interpersonal skills
Youth development

Location

Brooklyn
Queens
The Bronx
Manhattan

Work Type

Part Time
After-school program

Experience Level

2+ years' experience working with children or youth in group settings
Experience working with middle school or adolescent youth preferred
College degree, teaching certification, literacy training, or equivalent experience preferred

Education Level

High school diploma/GED required
College degree preferred
Teaching certification preferred
Literacy training preferred
Some college coursework or degree in Education, Arts, Recreation, Youth Development, or related field preferred

Salary/Compensations

$21.50 - 24.50 per hour

About the Company

For over fifty years, New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) has honored its founder Arthur Ashe’s legacy by celebrating the diversity of children, encouraging them to reach their highest potential through free tennis and academic programs.
NYJTL is the largest provider of youth tennis and education programs in the nation, providing services in 100 unique sites across all five boroughs while reaching nearly 90,000 kids.
In addition, NYJTL designed, funded (with NYC), built and operates the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the South Bronx.
All NYJTL community tennis and after school programs are offered at no cost to its participants.
The mission of NYJTL is to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court.
It believes life skills gained through tennis, academics, healthy living, and character development are a catalyst for long-term achievement.

Equal Opportunity

NYJTL values the diversity of the people we hire and inspire. Diversity at our organization means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We center equity in all our work and in our hiring practices.